I was close by when his car was stolen....but a dampner on the evening for a little while Yes he was using a surflock. After his drama I called the NRMA who have advised me that as long as every reasonable effort has been made to protect my car and it is stolen then I am covered. I advised them that I wanted a direct ruling on using a surflock and was then informed that its definitely covered as it as seen as theft. So if you are an NRMA policy holder it would seem that you are covered. But don't just take my word for it.

He was with Aliance fyi.

It's a dangerous game to play Gypsy. I think the claim form would give them enough loopholes to screw you a little more if you lie or withhold that bit of info back. Especially if they catch you out.

GypsyDrifter said..

Am I reading this right?

Surely you would not tell your insurance company
you had your keys hidden in your car or underneath it?

Yeah thought about that but how do you explain it when your car is found with the keys in the ignition as mine was?
Thought I was safe in telling them I was using a surf lock but apparently not. The joke of the matter is that if I'd eft them on the beach wrapped in a towel that would have been ok as far as the insurance company was concerned, what a joke!!!

Mum n dads got broken into, sledge hammer thru GLASS sliding door.......insurance company paid out eventually but now insist all doors n windows ( GLASS BY THE WAY) be dead locked!!!! Geeesussssss that helped the first time didn't it??
Far??????????>%n muppets

Probably rightly so. How does the insurance co know the surf lock was a quality one?
Any combo lock that is a bit sloppy is easy to crack, as a kid we could nick anyone's bike in 30sec. (not that we did )

So the insurance co. needs to protect themselves and err on the side of caution. If they didn't your premium would be doubled and then we'd all sook about that instead.

The only safe way to do it really -
Go into sand dunes. Dig a little hole and bury your key. Cover over.
Poo on area.
Go sailing/surfing / whatever

Retrieve key (carefullly) after your sesh. Watch some aussie "land mine sapper's knife from the side" kinda techniques in youtube.... will save you going home with an index finger smelling of poo and the obvious questions about "did you really go kiting today or were you at Bruce's place again??? "

The game insurance companies play is to deny & delay paying out claims. They sit on your premiums (free float) and make money out of it. A claim deferred is $$$ in their pocket. That is why I have shares in various insurance companies. Do not be deterred. Be polite , but firm & unyielding in your inquiries. If you do not get the answer you want, politely demand the name & contact details for their supervisors, and take it up the chain. Do not flinch. Let me stress - firm & polite again.

I see you are from Gods chosen country (WA). When you have finally hit the CEO or Chief National Claims manager, who have said no, issue a writ from the magistrates court. Under $10K, lawyers can't be involved, it's just you versus the insurance company rep. Do you see where this is heading? Look here: www.magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/C/civil_matters.aspx?uid=1226-6994-1097-9582 Costs <$100. Send it to their registered office. Pay the few dollars extra for the baillifs to deliver the writ. You'd be amazed how how quickly the insurer's attitude will change in your direction.

I recently had a major claim with Australias top marine insurer - Worst insurance company I have ever dealt with, and I have made very few claims in my life. I'm the sort of person that over insures and under claims, and is always scrupiously honest. After 6 months of obfuscation & delays, the ferkers at muppet marine fell over themselves to pay our substantial - and totally legitimate - claim in full. Management is always receptive to a bailiff tagging property at reception

Good luck with it!

Poods.

PS: But be honest!!

jbshack said..

BUT it made me think what the story actually is for my insurance? I leave my keys hidden in the car and have a separate door key only that i keep on my person in the surf or when I'm jogging. I checked and my insurance company didn't know the answer. They spent some time and eventually came back that they would have to first break into the car so my policy it would be covered.

I've always wondered about this one because I hide my keys in my ute and have a keypad installed in the tray to lock/unlock & immobilize

I looked at the surf locks and just didn't feel safe so i spent my $40 on the keypad option

pweedas said..

The trouble with surf locks is that they immediately let all the low-life know where the key is. It's literally standing out like dog balls hanging off the tow hitch. They then see it as a challenge to get the key out and use it.
At least by hiding it somewhere they don't know if there is a key in the car or not, and since often there is not they probably don't bother looking.

The biggest issue i had with the surf locks is i came in one night after dark and couldn't read the numbers. I had to wait and eventually get a lady to shine her head lights on it. Waving a lady down in the dark, just wearing a wetsuit, i wonder what she was thinking